The Money Generation: Turning Steelers Young Money Into "Future Dividends"

"The culture we have now is about money. The Steelers were a team that kept that away from the organization as long as possible....Guys [coming into the NFL now] are seeing it as 'I want to play and make as much money as I possibly can.'" - Ryan Clark (brackets ours)

About three weeks ago, Clark made those comments based on words spoken by the legendary Mean Joe Greene upon his retirement. Between ESPN's First Take and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Clark made several more comments regarding the mindset of today's players and how it has finally crept into the Steelers organization. The latest, though not the first, example was Mike Wallace who took his talents to South Beach. Could the next one be Emmanuel Sanders? Maybe. After all, they were part of the "Young Money" nucleus.

"Also, these kids coming in, even when you see them sign on signing day, what do they say? 'I'm going to go to LSU, I'm going to go to Alabama for three years and then I'm going to leave and go to the NFL.' So the culture we have now is about money. They want to make money, and I will be honest, the Steelers were a team that kept that away from the organization as long as possible.

The notion of putting money first is a real and disturbing trend. But it isn't a new one. Though it is becoming more prevalent, it has actually been happening for years. Because of this and several other reasons, those who look to money first end up going broke first. Reasons delineated in this article in the National Football Post: http://tinyurl.com/pkr93a2

Greene told the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette that "the scary thing is that players have a one-upsmanship about money; they sign a contract and they like it until someone signs a bigger one..." This first happened as soon as free agency began.

Back in late September of 1993, Emmitt Smith ended his 64-day holdout and signed a four-year, $13.6 million contract that made him the highest-paid runner in football history to that point. Smith had held out because he felt he was the best running back in the NFL at the time and said he wouldn't sign unless Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones paid him "Thurman Thomas money."

The Buffalo Bills' Thomas had been the NFL's highest-paid running back at $13.5 million over four years.

Fast forward just four months and Detroit Lions star runner Barry Sanders inks a $17.2 million contract. So again, this is nothing new.

Clark is correct in that the "Steelers were a team that kept that away from the organization as long as possible," but not in the way he presented it. Specifically with Alan Faneca.

In March 2006, Steve Hutchinson signed a seven-year, $49 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2007, a disgruntled Alan Faneca made it known he wasn't happy with his lot. On March 1, 2008, when he became a free agent, the New York Jets signed Faneca to a five-year, $40 million contract. So aside from that, Clark was essentially correct.

Now the Manny Sanders situation is upon us, and no one wants to see a repeat of the Mike Wallace drama. To his credit, Manny is saying the right things. One thing that Wallace didn't do.

"It felt good to be wanted," Manny said. "But at the end of the day, I'm still a Pittsburgh Steeler. I have one more year here, and hopefully, it can continue into a long-term deal because I want to be here."

He has reiterated that by saying: "I love the Pittsburgh Steelers," he said. "I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. I'm happy that I'm still a Pittsburgh Steeler. Hopefully we can work out a long-term deal, and I can be a Steeler for my entire career."

However, Manny's agent, Jordan Woy, indicated to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette last month that the Steelers would have to offer a "very good deal" for Sanders to pass up unrestricted free agency. And as Ray Fittipaldo wrote in Sunday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it seems "unlikely."

"Sanders has said that he wants to remain in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers aren’t likely to pay Sanders for what he might do in an expanded role in the offense now that Mike Wallace is in Miami," Fittipaldo wrote. "Based on what Woy said, Sanders seems equally unlikely to agree to a deal that pays him based on his production to this point in his career, which could set up a situation where a breakout year for Sanders winds up making him less likely to return to Pittsburgh in 2014."

Manny genuinely seems to want to be in Black and Gold. Wallace, on the other hand, didn't. Despite what many want to believe, he simply wanted out. His father even said in an interview with the Miami Herald that the Minnesota Vikings had offered him more money to play there, but that he took less money to play for the Dolphins because "he wanted to get out of that snow and cold weather." - http://tinyurl.com/pvxndy3

Not trying to disrespect or cast aspersions, but it is the truth and that much is at least in Manny's favor. If Manny, isn't sincere, it which would make the matching of the offer sheet a short-sighted move, then the question arises of whether or not this will be a trend. Markus Wheaton, because of the new CBA, is going to sign a four-year deal. Is this conversation going to be had again in 2017? Is it going to happen approximately every four years?

The likes of Antonio Brown don't come around as often anymore. Like Clark said, the Steelers in particular "don't have those type of people in the organization anymore because I don't think those kind of people come into the draft." Wheaton was one of many in the Steelers who showed maturity and character. While it isn't a guarantee, it is a reason to maintain faith that Wheaton could step in and help Young Money become "Future Dividends".

Wheaton will be a perfect fit for offensive coordinator Todd Haley's offense, with conventional wisdom suggesting he mainly plays the slot behind Manny and AB. And if he impresses, he can take over for Manny who would be allowed to leave as an unrestricted free agent in 2014 if a deal isn't sealed before the season begins.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that, nor that the difference between Manny's staying and leaving is the approximate equivalent of $13.6 million and $13.5 million.

By Cutting Hines Ward Steelers Prove Their Main Goal Is Winning

Any stockbroker will tell you, buy low and sell high.

Today, Leap Day 2012, the Steelers announced the release of veteran wide receiver Hines Ward. Steeler Nation as a whole is in mourning. But, it isn't a leap to say that it was the right choice.

Hines Ward was drafted in 1998 out of Georgia. As a wide receiver for the Bulldogs (1994–1997), Ward's 149 career receptions for 1,965 yards placed him second in team history. He also played tailback and totaled 3,870 all-purpose yards. In 1997, Hines hauled in 55 passes and scored six TDs, which earned him All-SEC honors in the process. Ward played some quarterback his sophomore year, and holds Georgia bowl records for pass attempts, pass completions, and passing yards in the 1995 Peach Bowl in which he completed 31 of 59 passes for 413 yards. He also received his Bachelor's Degree in consumer economics from Georgia.

It didn't take long for Ward to make an impact with the Steelers, catching 61 balls and scoring seven touchdowns. Ward went to bigger and better numbers, including six 1,000 yard receiving seasons, four Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP and, appropriately, 86 touchdowns.

Not bad for a man missing an ACL in his left knee, which he lost during a bicycle accident during childhood.

I'm sure I speak for all of Steeler Nation when I say, Thank you, Hines Ward. We'll miss that smile.

But, as Michael Corleone famously said, "It's not personal, Sonny, it's strictly business."

When you start to look at the business side of this, it was the right move. We look at players through Black and Gold colored glasses. We embrace our favorite players, even love them. But, it's still a business and the players know this. It's about wins. It's about Rings. The business side of things assures we have the right players who bring us those Super Bowl trophies with which Steelers fans are so elated to pose.

Naturally, Ward certainly wanted to come back. He's been open about it. His statement today even reflected as much. It read this way:

"This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end. I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago. I want to thank the organization, my teammates and coaches and everyone who made my run as a Steeler the best years of my life. To Mr. Rooney, thank you for allowing me to play for one of the greatest organizations in the world. To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories. I gave my heart and soul for you every down and I will always bleed black and gold. I do feel that I still have more football left in me and I am looking forward to playing in the NFL, again, this upcoming season."

The organization put out it's own statement on http://steelers.com regarding the release as well, with Rooney stating:

"Hines has been an integral part of our success since we drafted him in 1998 and we will forever be grateful for what he has helped us achieve. He has meant so much to this organization, both on and off the field, and we appreciate his efforts over the past 14 years. Hines' accomplishments are numerous, and he will always be thought of as one of the all-time great Steelers. We wish him nothing but the best."

Again, thank you, Hines Ward.

But, Ward's numbers, as I pointed out in other posts, were simply going to be too high to justify keeping a 14-year veteran who can't play special teams anymore, would be a 5th wide receiver at best and who has lost a step. That's on top of the one he didn't have in the first place. Getting out now is best. Again, sell high to avoid losses.

As I've said in previous blogs, I'm no salary cap guru, so go to Ian Whetstone of steelcityinsider.net for specific breakdowns. But, let's look at those aforementioned numbers briefly.

Ward still has a signing bonus proration this year and next of $610,000 each year. So, right now Ward is scheduled to count $4.61 million against the cap in 2012 and 2013. They could cut his base salary to $925,000, the 10-plus-year veteran minimum, but the '12 salary cap proration amount of $610,000 still would add to that $925,000 base, a $1.535 million base salary cap hit.

Saturday Mark Kaboly reported via his Twitter account, "The pay cut I am hearing Hines Ward would've been OK with in order to stay with #Steelers was 2 million. He is scheduled to make 4 million." If they restructured and turned $2 million of his $4 million base salary into signing bonus, his 2012 cap hit would then be $3.61 million. To bottom line this, Kaboly also pointed out that the Steelers saved $3.39 million against the cap by cutting Ward.

Again, for an aging wide receiver who can't play special teams and would be a fourth receiver at best, it just doesn't add up.

There's growing sentiment that Ward is in for a rude awakening. There's speculation that he won't be able to catch on anywhere else. Mark Kaboly and David Todd, the latter of  http://hammerspeaks.com and @hammerspeaks on Twitter, said that "he won't retire. Never" and that "it won't end well" respectively.

It was Tim Hasselbeck on NFL: 32 who said of Ward: "This should be a retirement party. He can't run anymore."

Mark Kaboly even suggested that Big Ben secretly loves Ward being gone. That Ben is the unquestioned leader of offense now. But, that's for another blog.

At the same time, though, such a move is hardly unprecedented.

Chuck Noll cut defensive end L.C. Greenwood during the 1982 training camp. The Steelers cut Franco Harris before the 1984 season over a contract dispute. Franco ended his career with the Seattle Seahawks. Mike Webster was "retired", Bruce Arians can appreciate this, after the 1988 season, then played two more seasons with the Chiefs. Rod Woodson and Alan Faneca each reluctantly left as free agents. Greg Lloyd, Joey Porter, Carnell Lake...the list continues.

It's nothing personal, Hines, it's strictly business. It's about winning.

~

In other news, the Steelers hired Shaun Sarrett, most recently with Duke University, as their new offensive quality control coach.

Good...what's that?

He's basically an entry level coach, similar to a college's graduate assistant. They prepare the statistical analysis as well as the initial video study of upcoming teams. They chart down-and-distance situations, field position, substitutions, etc..., and then gives that report to the team's offensive or defensive staff when they begin their game planning each week during the regular season.

For more on the details of the position, follow this link and read Jim Legwold's column on it: Q&A: "Quality control" coach is entry-level position in NFL - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_17198145#ixzz1nqUDI8bc